When is Memorial Day in 2017?

Date and History of Memorial Day

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When is Memorial Day in 2017 (U.S.)? Get dates and Memorial Day history from The Old Farmer’s Almanac.

Memorial Day 2017

This U.S. Federal holiday is celebrated the last Monday of each May to honor the men and women who died while serving in the military.

Year

Memorial Day

2017

Monday, May 29

2018

Monday, May 28

2019

Monday, May 27

Memorial Day History

The custom of honoring ancestors by cleaning cemeteries and decorating graves is an ancient and worldwide tradition, but the specific origin of Memorial Day, or Decoration Day as it was first known, are unclear.

In early rural America, this duty was usually performed in late summer and was an occasion for family reunions and picnics. After the Civil War, America’s need for a secular, patriotic ceremony to honor its military dead became prominent, as monuments to fallen soldiers were erected and dedicated, and ceremonies centering on the decoration of soldiers’ graves were held in towns and cities throughout the nation.

After World War I, the day expanded to honor those who have died in all America wars.

No less than 25 places have been named in connection with the origin of Memorial Day, and states observed the holiday on different dates. In 1971, Memorial Day became a national holiday by an act of Congress; it is now celebrated on the last Monday in May.

Since it all started with the Civil War, you might want to brush up on your knowledge of this event by visiting the Library of Congress Civil War collection, which includes more than a thousand photographs.

The Poppy, A Symbol of Memorial Day

The wearing of poppies in honor of America’s war dead is traditionally done on Memorial Day (not Veterans Day). The origin of the red poppy as a modern-day symbol of this day was actually the idea of an American woman, Miss Moina Michael. Read more about the inspiration for the poppy.

In war-torn battlefields, the red field poppy (papaver rhoeas) was one of the first plants to grow. Its seeds scattered in the wind and sat dormant in the ground, only germinating when the ground is disturbed—as it was by the very brutal fighting during World War 1.

The practice of wearing of poppies was further inspired by the poem “In Flanders Fields,” written in 1915 by Canadian soldier John McCrae. He saw the poppies in burials around his artillery position in Belgium.

Today, poppies are both the symbol of loss of life as a symbol of recovery and new life, especially in support of those servicemen who were damaged physically or emotionally.

In Flanders Fields

by John McCrae, May 1915

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Difference Between Memorial Day and Veterans Day

Many people confuse Memorial Day and Veterans Day. Memorial Day is a day for remembering and honoring military personnel who died in the service of their country, particularly those who died in battle or as a result of wounds sustained in battle.

While those who died are also remembered, Veterans Day is the day set aside to thank and honor ALL who served—in wartime or peacetime—and whether they died or survived. Veterans Day is always observed officially on November 11, regardless of the day of the week on which it falls.

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Request of help!!!!

Hi. I would know on which day was Memorial Day in the State of New York in the year 1968. This piece of information remains ambiguous after the lecture of this dedicated site. In a german book, Thursday, 30th Mai is signed (in a sort of diary held by the protagonist Gesine Cresspahl) as Memorial Day; now is of the utmost importance to me, to know if the Autor (Uwe Johnson; the book: Anniversaries or, in the original unabridged version: Jahrestage) has misplaced or displaced the date of this Celebration.
Can anybody help me on this subject? Many thanks in advance.

Memorial Day

The origin of Memorial Day actually began by slaves who had been freed after the civil war. A mass grave of union soldiers was found. The freed slaves dug them up and gave each on a proper burial and celebrated them for fighting for their freedom with dancing and singing for all to see.

I always assumed Memorial Day

I always assumed Memorial Day was at the end of May. Now I read that Congress set the date as the last Monday in May. Oh well, Congress does what it wants- always has, always will. Next thing you know, they'll change 4th of July.

Hi what good would it be if

Hi what good would it be if you just pick any day at the end of the Month most would agree the Last Monday would be the best Time this way Every Friday Saturday Sunday you can enjoy the Weekend together and the Celebrate it on that Monday and as you said you always assumed it was at the end of the Month as an American if you are one you should always know the Day that is for the lost hero's and if you have served as i Salute those lost , Still fighting i will include you . Johnny

IF YOU ARE TRAVELING THIS

IF YOU ARE TRAVELING THIS HOLIDAY WEEKEND AND HAPPEN TO BE ON THE EXPRESSWAY OR FREEWAY WHEN YOU TAKE THE OFF RAMP AND SEE A PERSON STANDING THERE WITH A SIGN SAYING WILL WORK FOR FOOD, OR JUST SOMETHING LIKE PLEASE HELP, PLEASE THINK ABOUT THIS, THAT PERSON IS PROBABLY A HOMELESS VETERAN, HOW MUCH WOULD IT HURT YOU TO PUT ONE DOLLAR INTO HIS OR HER CAN ??? EVEN IF YOU BELIEVE THAT THE PERSON IS GOING TO BUY LIQUOR OR DRUGS WHAT ABOUT THE ONES THAT WON'T ? THE ONES THAT ARE TRYING TO GET FOOD FOR BABIES SOMEWHERE IN CARDBOARD BOX, OR A SHELTER ?, YOU WANT TO DO SOMETHING FOR A VETERAN THIS WEEKEND ? GO SPEND A FEW MINUTES OF THIS WEEKEND AT A VA HOSPITAL, YOU DON'T HAVE TO KNOW THE VETERAN THE TRUTH IS THEY ARE ALL ONE, AND ANY SHOW OF CONCERN IS AS EFFECTIVE AS THE BEST PAIN MEDICATION, THAT IS SAYING THANKS !!!

Panhandlers should NEVER be

Panhandlers should NEVER be given money. There are countless agencies that care for homeless vets. Most of these panhandlers are con men who may make more than you and me. Others are drug addicts and alcoholics who use the money for drugs and alcohol. Panhandlers on roadways cause accidents and shouldn't be encouraged.

Whenever I see someone with a

Whenever I see someone with a sign asking for food or work, I always think of that song, What if she's an angel, if I have a little something I always stop and give, what they do with it is up to that person but I feel better knowing that I did my part in helping

While I agree that giving

While I agree that giving them money is not the answer, just stopping to talk to them, finding out why they are on the street panhandling or giving them food or directions to the nearest shelter would be a good thing. Here where I live we have an amazing shelter (one of the best in the nation-per the homeless/addicts we serve). We have given out cards with a little map and services provided. Sometimes they accept it, sometimes they throw it back in our faces, but at least we tried to give a helping hand.

When we lived in Dallas,

When we lived in Dallas, there were a lot of homeless men in the downtown area. My goal was that once a month I would go to the Burger King buy a hamburger, fries, box of milk and a dessert. I usually saw a homeless person before I walked in, and that person was the recipient. I would also tell them about the soup kitchen run by the First Methodist Church or the Presbyterian Church. These folks were usually transient. My rule - just do it, and don't let the left hand know what the right hand is doing. And remember if you do it to the least of our brothers and sisters your have done it unto God. God Bless America, and May God watch over our Veterans and pour out his grace upon all who need a kind and loving hand to help them through the day. We can do it America! Make a difference!

On Memorial Day, we remember

On Memorial Day, we remember those who've served who are no longer with us, specifically, those who Gave All. We want to be sure to remember the others, because All Gave Some. https://www.youtube.com/watch?...